In most decades of modern American history, the arts, and specifically music, both influence and reflect values of the time period. During the 1960s, the connections between music and society are particularly evident as rock and roll (and its many sub genres) “came of age” with entertainers beginning to take active roles in political, social and cultural movements. By listening to and analyzing the lyrics of selected examples of popular music from the era, students will develop a greater understanding of the historical and political forces as well as the emotional climate of the decade.
This lesson breaks the decade up into various thematic sections (The Early Sixties, The Transition, The New Generation, The Counter-Culture, Anti-War Protest, Woodstock Nation, The Dark Side, Altamont and Epilogue), each illuminated by a group of songs. The songs are studied from two perspectives. First, approaching them as primary sources, students will consider from an historical perspective what the songs reveal about the attitudes of this decade. Secondly, the lyrics will provide an opportunity for literary and poetic analysis.
This lesson breaks the decade up into various thematic sections (The Early Sixties, The Transition, The New Generation, The Counter-Culture, Anti-War Protest, Woodstock Nation, The Dark Side, Altamont and Epilogue), each illuminated by a group of songs. The songs are studied from two perspectives. First, approaching them as primary sources, students will consider from an historical perspective what the songs reveal about the attitudes of this decade. Secondly, the lyrics will provide an opportunity for literary and poetic analysis.
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